CompTIA PenTest+ Practice Test

What is defined as any condition that allows an attacker to gain access to sensitive information?

1. Data breach

2. Information disclosure

3. Unauthorized access

4. Data leakage

The correct answer is: Information disclosure

The term that encompasses any condition allowing an attacker to gain access to sensitive information is 'information disclosure.' This concept refers specifically to the unintentional exposure of confidential information, often leading to sensitive data being exposed to individuals who are not authorized to view it. Information disclosure can occur due to various vulnerabilities, such as insecure storage of data, misconfiguration, or software bugs, making it a crucial aspect of security assessments and risk management. While some of the other options may overlap in meaning or involve scenarios related to sensitive information, they don't specifically cover the broad range of conditions that can lead to sensitive information being accessed improperly. For instance, a data breach typically refers to a specific incident where there has been unauthorized access to data, while unauthorized access itself refers to the act of accessing data without permission. Data leakage generally implies that information has leaked out of its intended boundaries, but it may not fully encompass all types of unintended disclosures. In contrast, information disclosure directly addresses the broader condition of unauthorized access to sensitive information.